Blaze took his seat opposite Alia on his mother's right-hand side, while Henry took the next seat beside him.
Eugene was super thrilled to be the one seated next to his future sister-in-law, chatting happily with her while they all dined as a family.
Laughter mingled with the soft hum of conversation echoed in the dining room.
The clattering sounds of cutleries against dishware resonated as Eugene and Henry took turns entertaining Alia with their funny jokes. Blaze rarely contributed except on rare occasions when he was dragged into the discussion.
Alia couldn't stop smiling at the warm reception given to her. She was filled with a nostalgic longing for the past when her mother was still alive and she was grateful to Blaze and his family for giving her this rare opportunity to experience sothing so beautiful.
"I hope you are enjoying the al," Maria asked, observing Alia's slow eating.
"Uh-huh!" Alia nodded her head, taking a sip from her glass of water. She picked up the napkin and dabbed briefly on her lips before speaking.
"The salmon stews is my best dish so far. It's well-seasoned, spicy and delicious. It took back down mory lane when my mom was still alive. She used to make these for and my dad whenever we travelled on a family vacation to the island."
"Aww ... that's so sweet." Maria was moved by the hint of sadness in Alia's voice as she spoke about her mother. "It happens to also be one of my favorite delicacies. Maybe we could cook it together one of these days."
"I would love that," Alia said beaming.
"Splendid!" Maria clasped her hands excitedly. "Why don't you try out this whipped cream with berries for dessert? It will tickle your taste buds." She slid a plate of the dessert to Alia seeing that she was done eating.
"Sure. Thank you."
"So Alia, I'm dying to know how you and my big brother t since he wouldn't say anything to " Eugene said eying Blaze, who had been eating silently on the table while staring at Alia every now and then.
"Umm..."
"You don't have to answer that nosy little mouse " Maria interjected. "Instead of poke-nosing around your brother's affair, why don't you get your own girlfriend and be more responsible."
"I definitely will Mom, now that Blaze has finally taken the bold step to bring ho a new girlfriend, I will follow in his footsteps."
Alia's cheeks reddened at Eugene's remark. She scooped a spoonful of her dessert and was about to eat it when Blaze corrected Eugene."
"Alia is not my girlfriend."
The room suddenly fell silent as everyone gazed darted between Blaze and Alia - whose head was lowered.
Alia's cheeks turned beet red as she slowly lowered her spoon, too embarrassed to look up. She listened as Blaze's seat scraped against the polished marble floor, as he stood up. She held her breath as he made his way around the table to stand beside her. She could feel heat curling up her spine as he extended his right hand towards her, a gentle smile framing his face.
"Sweetheart..."
"Oh, brother?" Alia sneered inwardly at Blaze's smooth and husky voice. She couldn't fathom how he could switch personality: from colg to hot and bitter to sweet.
Henry felt slightly jealous of Blaze, wishing he was in his shoes currently. He already knew what Blaze was going to say since the latter had already confided in him about his relationship status with Alia. But he was worried that Blaze might hurt Alia in the course of this contract marriage.
Maria was beaming from cheek to cheek, tears gathering in her eyes, as she watched Alia slowly place her left hand on Blaze's right open palm.
Blaze helped Alia stand up and gently guided her away from her seat so that there was no barrier between them. He wrapped his right hand around her waist and pulled her closer.
"My dear family, I would like to officially introduce you all to my beautiful wife, Mrs Alia Anderson."
"What! You are already married? When and why wasn't I invited?" Eugene was left in a daze.
"I knew it." Maria happily stood up and embraced her children, tears of joy falling down her eyes. "Welco to the family, Amy. You are now officially my daughter." She said kissing Alia on the forehead.
"Thank you, mum." Alia smiled, trying her best to play the part even though her heart was bleeding at the thought of deceiving Maria about an actual marriage to her son.
-
-
anwhile, at the Shawls mansion, tension was brewing as Gwen -who had been too traumatized to confide in anyone - finally revealed everything that went down before and after the fashion show to her alard mother.
Regina remained frozen in her seat, listening to her daughter recounts her traumatic ordeal at the hands of their abductors. It felt as though soone had placed a weight on her chest, making breathing difficult.
"So you're aning to tell that Alia was with him?" Regina asked, her face turning pale.
"Yes, mum. that shaless b*tch was with him." Gwen sneered.
"Are you certain that she is the one you saw with him? Or maybe you might just be imagining things." Regina said, staring at her in complete disbelief and panic.
Gwen's forehead furrowed in annoyance. "I wasn't drunk Mom, neither am I blind. I know what I saw. If you don't believe , I can give you the contact of three people who were present at the event venue. Or better still you can ask Jerry discreetly."
"Jerry isn't talking to at the mont, rember?" Regina sighed.
"Whose fault is it? You insulted him at the police station." Gwen stated, rolling her eyes.
"I was angry, okay. And please let's not go into that subject. Let's focus on what you saw at the event because I'm not convinced."
Gwen's face pald her forehead in frustration.
"This isn't hearsay, Mum and I am not making this up. Alia and that handso devil left the event together like a couple. I was there in person and I saw everything with my two naked eyes. His hand was wrapped around her waist like a lover and knowing my stepsister very well, she would never allow any man to hold her that intimately except sothing is going on between them."
"So you think sothing is going on between them," Regina asked in a slightly quivering tone, her mind in disarray as mories of her evil past threatened to resurface.
Reviews
All reviews (0)